At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

The Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) Advanced Processing Solutions Business pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines the leading edge of exotic new technologies, and drives advances in the sciences. One of our most challenging new fields is Transformational Computing, which combines the unique properties of superconductivity and quantum mechanics to develop radical new energy-efficient computing systems. Our team is chartered with providing the skills to transform computing beyond Moore’s Law, advancing development of computer architectures, processing/memory subsystems, and large scale high performance computing systems. You’ll work in a fast-paced team environment alongside a broad array of scientists and engineers to make these processing solutions a reality and deliver remarkable new advantages to the warfighter.

The Networked Information Solutions (NIS) Advanced Processing Solutions business is seeking a Senior Principal Physical Layout Design Engineer. The ideal candidate will have solid understanding of microelectronic electrical principles, demonstrated organizational skills and a willingness to learn and grow in a team environment. The development nature of our foundry activities will provide a willing candidate the opportunity to grow into an integral member of the Northrop Grumman design community.

Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

• Create custom layouts including: Process Control Monitor (PCM) structures, reticle alignment marks, and physical measurement structures. Mentoring and guidance are provided by process engineers, photo lithography engineers and layout peers.
• Provide layout floor planning.
• Create chip designs in various processes for process prove-in, experimentation, and test support.
• Perform layout verifications of designs.
• Participate in reticle composition and tape out activities.
• Document work performed.

Additional Valuable Skills:

• Experience using Cadence design suite of tools to perform full and semi-custom layout.
  • Knowledge of Cadence Virtuoso L/XL/EXL capabilities that enhance layout task efficiency.
  • The ability to make minor schematic edits to support the layout effort.
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics and analog/mixed signal integrated circuit design.
• Experience laying out or characterizing digital standard cells or memory elements.
• Layout simulation using tools such as ANSYS/HFSS or ADS.
• Building scripts, in an agreed upon programing language, to automate repetitive tasks or facilitate an increase in productive work.
• Create and document flows for future re-use and quality control.
• Knowledge of an industry programing language: Shell, Python, Perl, TCL/TK or equivalent.
• Experience with any of the following:
  • Behavior modeling skills using Verilog-A or Verilog-AMS.
  • Full-chip functional/performance verification methods.
• Experience collaborating with research staff/quantum physicists to realize proof of principle layouts.

This position requires onsite support at our Advanced Technology Lab (ATL) in our Linthicum, MD office.

Basic Qualifications for a Senior Principal Physical Layout Design Engineer:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM related field with 9 years of related experience; 7 years with Masters; 4 with a PhD.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Navigate file structures in the LINUX environment.
• Able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance per business requirements.
• US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of the Semiconductor fabrication process and process development.
• Understanding of Process Design Kit (PDK) Development (tech files, verification rule files, Pcells, skill programing)
• Skilled in the use of the Cadence Virtuoso L layout and schematic capture tools.
• Proficient in the use of Cadence ASSURA and Mentor Calibre DRC/LVS verification tools.
• Experience in Superconducting Reciprocal Quantum Logic circuit design layout practices
• Current Secret/TS SCI clearance

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Salary Range: $123,800 USD - $185,800 USD

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.